He perches, in sparkling eyed contemplation <br />of the goal. Like some celebrated stylite, <br />he squats on his post, oblivious <br />to the hostile elements. My stare <br /> <br />intrudes upon his gaze; defiance <br />resonates across the intervening space. And then <br />the sudden leap, <br />a precarious landing on the ridge; teeth bared <br /> <br />he nuzzles the meshwork tower, <br />seeking nutrition. <br /> <br />Losing his grip, <br />he hastily takes flight, back <br />to the stepping stone beam - <br />the garden fence’s parapet. <br /> <br />A sudden sure footed spring onto the post; <br />I stare at him, he glowers back at me, <br />brush-tail twitching. I sense <br />a mood of defiance; he leaps once more <br />to the bird tables roof. <br /> <br />A turbulent manoeuvre finds <br />a covered plateau. A sense <br />of instability <br />takes charge. He beats <br />a hasty retreat. <br /> <br />Post squatted, <br />he focusses once more. <br />He steels himself, <br />then springs. <br /> <br />The glistening plastic proves <br />more than a match; he takes <br />a floundering fall <br />into the sodden undergrowth. <br /> <br />Bedraggled, he climbs the austere fence, <br />tail discomfortedly curled, <br />shakes vigorously. The watery beads <br />propel themselves from body into air. <br /> <br />Straight tailed, disconsolate, <br />he beats retreat <br />along the wooden parapet. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 22 May 2006<br /><br />Malcolm Evison<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/squirrel-in-the-rain/
